Changeling History

[Red Charge]

From an article published recently in the Manehattan Tribune by the distinguished species researcher Prof. Von Matterhorn from the Northern Barrnes.

Most of us remember them in infamy from their attempt to take over Canterlot by taking the place of the lovely Princess Cadence. Crashing the Royal Wedding, an army of Changelings created chaos all over Canterlot, even managing to subdue Princess Celestia in the process.

Now it seems, we are again facing this shape-shifting threat, as rumors state they have infiltrated several settlements in Equestria prior to the invasion by the Diamond Dog forces, preparing to disrupt our defenses in case of an attack as well as to provide intelligence to the enemy.

So what are Changelings?

The Changelings are very special sort of creature, insect-like and yet mammal-like at the same time. They are also known as fae, the tricky shapeshifters. Old folktales tell of them switching places with many a pony in the past, impregnating females and then kidnapping the newborn changeling child, with neither parent being aware of the truth of the matter.

Dreadful though it may be, these pony-tales are not far from the truth, as Changelings as a rule cannot procreate in their natural form. Instead, they assume the form of an intended victim, being of any species and copulate with them to produce the offspring.

If you've ever spent a night with a mare who disappeared without a trace soon after, and appeared to never have existed in the first place, chances are friend that you have helped a changeling spawn a child.

Shapeshifting

Changeling magic is a very unique one. It allows them to change their physical shape at will, size differences are irrelevent. A Changeling could just as much imitate a dragon rather than a pony. Their ability to completely mimic the anatomical structure of living beings seems to be instinctual, having evolved after many, many years of assuming said forms.

When transforming, the Changeling Magic can imitate the target's magic to a degree, but only enough to mask their presence. Though Changelings can use telekinesis, for example, they simply cannot cast more complicated spells, even in unicorn form. Nor can they breath magical fire as dragons.

However, Changelings cannot shapeshift into anything that is not naturally alive. Trying to do so would kill them.

Love Makes the Changelings Go Round

Changelings feed on love. What does this mean? As Fae, the Changelings feed on emotional energy, tapping into the psyche of any of their victims and draining their emotions, both positive and negative. In a pinch, Changelings can survive on negative emotions, but they are weakened considerably in the process, at least, in most cases, it seems.

For Changelings, the emotional intensity of Love is the most nourishing delicacy they can find, and the result of such continued leeching could be devastating.

It is important to note, that when imitating other forms, Changelings can sustain themselves on the natural diet of the form they take. However, this diet does not sustain their natural form or their magic and can only sustain their physical bodies until they revert back to their natural form.

Society

From studies, it appears that Chanelings have a hive-like structure, with one queen at the top and the rest of the drones, warriors, etc beneath her.

The current queen is Queen Chrysalis, the one we've already encountered in the Canterlot Wedding Crisis. Her desperate attack revealed that Changelings are currently in decline and are in desperate need of sustenance, possibly why they joined with the Diamond Dog invaders.

Studies show that Changeling society is divided by the roles the Changelings take, much like a bee hive. However we have extremely limited knowledge of the going ons inside the hive. It is important to note, that Changelings do not work as a collective, but as individuals who serve the hive out of their own will and need to survive.

How to recognize a Changling

You are probably asking yourself as you read, how will I know if my neighbor is a Changeling?

Here are some things to look out for -

- Sudden and unexpected displays of affection and acts of good will in abundance.

- Sudden and uncharactaristic seeking of company, whether of friends or of strangers.

- Frequent and unexplaind disappearances.

- Occasional changes in accent and pronounciation.

- Lack of memory of events, whether recent or not.

- Sudden and uncharactaristic changes in tastes.

Look out for any of these things, and if suspicious alert the local law enforcement agency at once!

To summarize, Changelings are mysterious and amazing beings, and so much is still unknown to us of them. But like anything amazing, we must treat them with both awe and apprehension. Let us hope that perhaps one day we may find a way of co-existing as equals, so we may learn more about these truly amazing creatures.

[kuruka]

Awesome, Red! I look forward to including these creatures in our stories! Ought to be fun!

[Klepto Moonlit]

Interesting. So changelings are... all female then I guess? Or at least there isn't two distinct genders within the species?

[Red Charge]

Nah, there male and female changelings. But since Changelings can change shape at will, well you get where I'm going.

[Klepto Moonlit]

But then for the purposes of procreation, do they only appear as females? I assume either you have male changelings giving birth or female non-changelings giving birth to changelings. @_@

[Red Charge]

It says in the beginning what the males do to procreate. They impregnate a female then steal the baby.

[Klepto Moonlit]

Ah, I see. Guess I got confused. ♪～(￣ε￣；)

[Red Charge]

Yes changelings are mean mothers. They're actually the only inherently bad playable race so far.

[Shadestride Scythe]

Mmmm And Changelings the more they feed, the more powerful they become yes? Does that imply their own offensive magic becomes stronger as well? Much like Chrysalis Vs. Celestia?

[Red Charge]

Yes that's what he referred to as "Devastating results" also only certain roles have offensive magic in the Changeling Hive. More on that as they are revealed.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

Changelings are weird... and I am generally disturbed by how they 'reproduce'. Hate insects.

Also, I still believe that green goo they excrete is from their butts 'cause like all other insects, it always has to be gross.